The much-anticipated Agalega airstrip and jetty, which can dock a battleship, was inaugurated today at 1 pm by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius’ Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, marking a significant step in the former country’s maritime expansion into the Indian Ocean.
In addition to giving Mauritius and India access to the maritime domain, the Agalega airfield and jetty will enable the Indian Navy to quickly turn around warships while conducting operations in the South West Indian Ocean and the Eastern Seaboard of Africa. A Boeing P-8I multimission aircraft can land on the airfield, and an Indian Navy ship or frigate may dock at the jetty.
The 3-kilometer airstrip is capable of supporting medium-lift IL-76 and C-130 Hercules, heavy-lift C-17, Boeing P-8I observation aircraft, and anti-submarine warfare aircraft.
Up to fifty Indian Navy officers and staff are reportedly currently stationed on this vital island, and both nations intend to increase the number of people stationed at the Agalega islands much further.
Beyond Agalega, India is working to improve its maritime capabilities. India intends to improve coastal security and maritime domain awareness for friendly nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) with the construction of an air support facility in the north Agalega Islands and the establishment of a maritime support base in Duqm port, Oman. This is especially important given China’s growing influence in the region.